Combination cabinet and stepladder



AprIl 17, 1962 w. c. RICHARDS I-:TAI 3,030I166 COMBINATION CABINET ANDSIEPLADDER Filed July 2. 1959 INVENTORS: l, WILLIAM C. RICHARDS am AWABAKER.

ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. l', i962 free .@tlthlao CMEINMIIN @Alllsllll ANDSTEILLADDER William C. Richards, Een and Alva halter, 7 Louise I`errace,both of Mount Pleasant, EAC. Filed .Iuiy 2, i959, Ser. No. 824,537 3(Claims. (Cl. B12-235) This invention relates to articles of householdfurniture and more particularly to a combination storage cabinet andstepladder suitable for use in household areas such as kitchens and thelike.

LIn present day arrangements of living and working quarters, space is ata minimum and the provision of adequate storage facilities requiresconsiderable thought and careful planning. For instance, in the kitchensof residential dwellings, it is quite common to provide countertopcabinets for storage together with overhead 0r raised storage facilitiesto accommodate the wide variety and quantity of utensils, implements andthe like required for everyday living. As these overhead Storagecabinets are quite high, some means -rnust be employed such as a chairor a ladder in order to conveniently reach all portions of theseoverhead cabinets. The procurement of a chair each time an overheadcabinet is to be reached is a source of annoyance and often results indamage to the chair. Furthermore, a chair is a device for seating andrisk of injury to an individual is substantial when standing on a chair.

Folding stepladders and the like are well known and are often employedto permit access to these overhead cabinets but in addition to thenuisance of procuring a stepladder on each occasion, these ladders aregenerally bulky and awkward and unless handled carefully cause damage toarticles with which they come in contact. In some previousconstructions, these folding stepladders have been made small enough topermit storage within cabinets but such folding ladders occupyconsiderable cabinet space that could otherwise be utilized.Furthermore, in these compact folding stepladder constructions, it isnot without diiculty that these ladders are folded and unfolded and inthe unfolded or operating position do not always offer a safe supportfor a user due to the light and fragile structure which is typical ofpresent day folding ladders.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a new andnovel article of household furniture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novelcombination cabinet and folding step ladder.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and novelcombination cabinet and stepladder which does not utilize the cabinetstorage space when in the folded position and which in the foldedcondition blends attractively into the overall cabinet structure.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a new and novelcombination cabinet and stepladder which is simple and inexpensive inconstruction, may be readily manipulated by a relatively unskilled userbetween a folded and unfolded or operating position, and which offersextremely rugged and safe support to a user in the unfolded position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel foldingstepladder construction which not only offers firm support to the userbut which may be folded into a substantially dat inoperative positionwithin a minimum of space.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and novelcombination cabinet and stepladder in which the steps of the ladder forma part of the external cabinet closure surface so that in the foldedposition, the ladder blends attractively into the overall cabinetconstruction without utilizing cabinet space and is completelyinconspicuous and which may be readily manipulated by the user to theunfolded position in a simple and easy manner to expose antislipsurfaces on the steps and permit ready access to overhead storagefacilities without the risk of injury from slipping and the like.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and novelcombination cabinet and stepladder which is inexpensive in constructionso as to permit utilization in quantity throughout an area without amaterial increase in cost.

Briefly, the objects of the invention and other related objectsareaccomplished by providing a cabinet having an access opening. Thecabinet may be of the type commonly found in household areas such as akitchen and is supported on the kitchen floor below overhead storagefacilities. The cabinet is provided with a closure or door which ispivotally mounted on the cabinet and which closes the access opening inthe cabinet. provided in the closure which is arranged to accommodate afolding stepladder. The stepladder contains one or more pivotallymounted steps which are provided with supporting legs. In the foldedposition, the steps and the legs are positioned in vertical planaralignment with the closure within the closure opening and the stepsthemselves form part of the closure to provide a neat, substantiallyflat closure construction. The folding stepladder may be readily movedto an unfolded position by pivoting the steps into a vertically spaced,substantially parallel relationship supported by the legs which arepositioned in contact with the floor of the area in which the cabinet isutilized.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objectswill appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 is an isometric View of acombination cabinet and stepladder constructed in accordance with theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken sub-` stantially along line2 2 of FIGURE 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 3 is a View similar to FIGURE 1 showing the stepladder of theinvention in an intermediate position between a `folded and unfoldedposition;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE l showing the stepladder in theunfolded position;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE l illustrating the ladder in thefolded position and the cabinet closure pivoted to an open position;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line 66 of FIGURE 3 in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along line7-7 of FIGURE 4 in the direction of the arrows; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged sectional View taken substantially along line8--8 of FIGURE l in the direction the arrows.

Referring now to the drawing there is shown in FIG- URE l, a combinationcabinet and folding stepladder constructed in accordance with theinvention and designated generally by the numeral Il. `In the specificembodiment illustrated, the unit Ill is of the type commonly found inresidential dwellings and particularly in kitchens and similar areas ofsuch dwellings. Although only one such unit Il is illustrated in FIGUREl, -it should be understood that a plurality of these units aregenerally arranged in a side by side relationship along the walls ofsuch rooms and are positioned on a supporting surface such as the floor12 of the room in which they are located.

Each unit ll comprises a storage cabinet 13 having a counter-top or worksurface I4 which together with the An opening is j counter-tops ofadjacent units forms a continuous working surface arranged at asatisfactory working height. As is well known, in order to provideadditional storage facilities within rooms in which the units 11 areutilized, storage facilities such as racks, overhead cabinets, or thelike (not shown) are generally secured to the Wall of the room above theunits 11 in spaced relationship with the cabinet counter-top 14- so asto provide additional storage facilities for the various items commonlyrequired for use in the area.

Each of the cabinets 13 is provided with a front wall 16 having anaccess opening 17 (FIGURE 5) to permit access to the cabinet interior 18and the front wall 16 is preferably recessed at 19 for convenience. Ifdesired, the cabinet interior 18 may be provided with one or moreshelves 21 to facilitate the storage of items therein. In addition, adrawer 22 having a pull 23 may also be suitably mounted for slidingmovement through the front Wall 16 of the cabinet.

In order to close the cabinet access opening 17, a closure or doordesignated generally by the numeral 24 is provided which is pivotallymounted on a vertical axis by any suitable means such as hinges 25 whichpermits the closure 24 to be moved by means such as a handle 26 betweenthe open position (FIGURE in which access to the cabinet interior 18 isobtained and the closed position shown in FIGURE l.

As generally illustrative of the invention, a folding stepladder hasbeen provided as shown best in FIGURES 4 and 7 and designated generallyby the numeral 27. As will be explained hereinafter, the stepladder 27is combined with the cabinet 13 without utilizing any of the storagespace within the cabinet interior 18. As shown best in FIGURE 4, theclosure 24 is formed from vertically extending side members 28 and topand bottom cross members 29 which define a centrally arrangedl opening30 preferably rectangular in shape for accommodating the foldingstepladder 27 in the folded position.

As specifically illustrative of the invention, a pair of verticallyextending support members 31 are provided each of which is positionedbehind one of the closure side members 28. Each of these support members31 is xedly secured in the position shown by meanssuch as brackets 32secured to the top and bottom cross members 29 as shown best in FIGURE6. In order to provide for mounting the folding stepladder 27 on thecabinet 13, each of the support members 31 is provided with an upperbracket 33 having a slot 34 and a lower bracket 36 secured thereto inany suitable manner such as by screws or the like.

The stepladder 27 comprises at least one foot plate or step and in thespecific embodiment illustrated, a pair of such steps are providedwhich, as will be referred to hereinafter, include a lower step 37 andan upper step 38. For convenience, the lower step 37 is preferablylonger than the upper step 38 as shown best in FIGURE 7. The steps 37,38, which are preferably formedv from material such as wood are providedwith inner surfaces 37a, 38a and outer surfaces 37b, 38b respectively,with the outer surfaces being preferably finished in a materialcorresponding to the cabinet front wall 16 in order to blend therewith.The inner surfaces 37a, 38a of the steps are preferably provided with ananti-skid material 35 such as plastic, rubber, or the like securedthereto in any suitable manner such as by adhesives.

The steps 37, 38 are also provided with side plates 39, 40 respectively,preferably L-shaped in cross-section and formed from metal or the like,which are suitably secured by means such as screws 41 (FIGURES 6, 7) tothe side edges of the steps as shown best in FIGURE 2. As can be seen,these side plates 39, 40 are arranged to overlap the marginal edgeportions of the inner surfaces 37a, 38a of each of the steps and extendsubstantially throughout the length of the steps.

In accordance with the novel construction of the invention, each of thesteps 37, 38 is arranged for pivotal movement on a horizontal axisextending across the closure opening 30. As shown in FIGURES 6 through8, the bottom step 37 is arranged for pivotal movement on a rod 42 whichis positioned within a groove 43 suitably formed in the step innersurface 37a. The rod 42 extends through suitable openings in the sideplates 39 and is suitably connected at each end to the bottom brackets36 which, as described above, are secured to the support members 31.

The upper step 38 is similarly arranged for pivotal movement on ahorizontal axis by means of a rod 44 positioned Within a groove 46formed in the step inner surface 38a and extending through the sideplates 40 so as to be slidably mounted at each end within the slot 34 ofthe upper brackets 33 on the support members 31.

As can be seen clearly in FIGURES 6 and 7, the lower and upper steps 3738 may therefore be pivotally moved on the rods 42, 44 respectively sothat their adjacent edge portions move into intertting engagement alonga joint designated by the numeral 47 in FIGURE l. The opposite edgeportions of the steps therefore cooperatively mate with the inner edgeportions of the top and bottom closure cross members 29 so that thesteps 37 38 substantially close the closure opening 30 in the foldedposition of the stepladder 27.

As can be seen in FIGURE 2, the steps 37, 38 are suitably dimensionedlaterally so as to be of less width than the width of the closureopening 30. Thus, when the stepladder is in the folded position ofFIGURE 2, vertical spaces 48 are defined by the side plates 39, 40 onthe steps 37, 38 respectively and the inner edges of the verticallyextending side members 28 of the closure 24.

In order to support the steps 37, 38 in the unfolded or operatingposition, a pair of substantially identical legs 49 have been provided.rThe legs 49 are substantially T- shaped in cross-section having a bodymember 49a and a facing strip 49h, the outer surface of which ispreferably finished in a material and color corresponding to the cabinetfront wall 16 and the outer surfaces 37b, 3811 of the steps 37, 38respectively.

The legs 49 are pivotally connected as shown in FIG- URES 6, 7 toopposite sides of the steps 37, 38 adjacent the forward edges of thesteps by means of pivot rods 51, 52 which are positioned within grooves53, 54 in the forward edges of steps 37, 38 respectively. The rods 51,52 extend through suitable openings (not shown) in the side plates 39,40 of steps 37, 38 so as to retain the rods 51, 52 within their groovesS3, S4 respectively, and the rods are suitably secured in any suitablemanner at each end to a leg 49 so as to permit pivotal movement of thelegs. If desired, strips 57, S8 are secured in any suitable manneradjacent the forward edge of step 38 and adjacent the rear edge of step37 respectively as shown best in FIGURES l, 8. The outer surface of thestrips 57, 58 also simulate the material of the cabinet wall 16 and stepsurfaces 37b, 38h,

Therefore, with the above described novel construction, the stepladder27 is arranged to be moved from the folded position of FIGURE l into theunfolded or operating position of FIGURES 4 and 7 by a user who, bygrasping the handle 56, moves the two steps 37, 38 outwardly anddownwardly into a vertically spaced substantially parallel relationshipwith the steps positioned in a substantially horizontal plane.

In the unfolded position of FIGURES 4 and 7, the supporting legs 49 arein contact with the floor 12 and together with the pivot rods 42, 44support the steps firmly and rigidly as shown. The user may then steponto the upwardly facing surfaces 37a, 38a of steps 37, 38 respectivelywhich contain the anti-skid material 35 and therefore gain ready accessto the storage rack or overhead cabinets above the unit 11 without riskof slipping and possibly sustaining injury.

When it is desired to move the stepladder 27 into the folded orinoperative position, the handle 56 may again be manipulated by the userand the steps 37, 38 pivoted rearwardly and upwardly as shown in FIGURES3 and 6 until the upper step 38 and then the lower step 37 move intoclosing relationship with the closure opening 30. At this time, the endsof pivot rod 44 can slidably move within the slots 34 of brackets 33 topermit the lower leg 37 to continue its pivotal movement to the foldedposition of `FIGURE 5.

As can be seen best by reference to FIGURE 2, in the folded position ofthe stepladder 27, the body members 49a of the legs 49 move into thevertically extending spaces 48 between the closure side members 28 andthe side plates 39, 40 for the steps while the facing strips 4% of thelegs are positioned substantially ush with the steps 37, 38 and theclosure 24. The horizontal strips S7, 53 on the steps also impart anattractive appearance to the front of closure 24 while strip 58 concealsthe joint between step 38 and the upper cross member 29.

Therefore, as can be seen in FIGURE l, steps 37, 3S and legs 49 of thestepladder 27 fold neatly in vertical planar alignment with the closure24 and the exposed surfaces of the stepladder blend or harmonize withthe exterior of the cabinet 13 to provide a neat and attractive unitlll. Furthermore, closure 24 may be readily moved between the closedposition of FIGURE 1 and the open position of FIGURE 5 in which accessto the cabinet interior 18 may be obtained without disturbing the foldedstepladder.

It can be seen that there has been provided with this invention a novelarrangement for incorporating a stepladder within a cabinet in such amanner that the stepladder in the collapsed or stored position occupiesvirtually no more space than would normally be occupied by the cabinetdoor itself and thereby conserving valuable cabinet space. Thisoutstanding feature has been obtained by utilizing the stepladder itselfas part of the door for the cabinet. Furthermore, the folding stepladderof the invention is so constructed that it may be readily utilized inany vertical Wall or panel having a limited thickness. Thus, it may bereadily utilized in other arrangements than the illustrated embodimentwithout the cabinet and where space is at a premium.

The cabinets of the invention are of the type commonly found inresidential dwellings and may be readily adapted with littlemodification for incorporation with such a stepladder to provide for auser a high degree of convenience in reaching high places such asstorage cabinets or the like, commonly found in the areas in which suchcabinets are generally installed. The stepladder of the invention isextremely simple in construction and therefore of low initial cost whileat the same time provides a rugged, sturdy construction which is noteasily damaged and which is so concealed when in the folded position asto present a pleasing and attractive outward appearance. Furthermore,the novel construction of the combination cabinet and folding stepladderpermits an operator such as a housewife to readily move the stepladderbetween the folded and the unfolded operating position with a minimum ofeffort and inconvenience and no problem of returning the stepladder tothe folded condition is presented such as is typical of previousconstructions.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferredembodiments of the invention and, a1- though specific terms areemployed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and notfor purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being dened inthe claims.

We claim:

1. A combination cabinet and stepladder comprising a cabinet having avertical access opening to the interior thereof; a segmental doorclosing said access opening, said door comprising an upright outerenclosing frame extending along and covering the entire marginal portionof said access opening, said frame dening the boundaries of an innerremaining portion of said access opening and panel means removablyreceived within said frame in vertical alinement therewith to cover theinner remaining portion of said access opening; means mounting saidframe of said door on said cabinet for pivotal movement of said doorabout a vertical axis between closed and open positions with respect tosaid access opening, said panel means comprising at least one step plateand a pair of legs extending along the opposite sides of said step platein juxtaposition tocorresponding sides of said frame, means pivotallysecuring said legs to the opposite sides of said step plate, and meansconnecting said step plate to said frame for pivotal movement of saidstep plate about a horizontal axis between a folded position with saidstep plate and said legs carried thereby received within said frame invertical alinement therewith and an unfolded position with said stepplate horizontally disposed and said legs depending therefrom inoutwardly extending relation to said frame to expose the inner remainingportion of said access opening bounded by said frame.

2. A combination cabinet and stepladder comprising a cabinet having avertical access opening to the interior thereof; a segmental doorclosing said access opening, said door comprising an upright outerenclosing frame extending along and covering the entire marginal portionof said access opening, and panel means removably received within saidframe in vertical alinement therewith to cover the remainder of saidaccess opening; means mounting said frame ofsaid door on said cabinetfor pivotal movement of said door about a vertical axis between closedand open positions with respect to said access opening, said panel meanscomprising an upper and a lower step plate and a pair of legs extendingalong the opposite sides of said upper and lower step plates injuxtaposition to corresponding sides of said frame, said upper stepplate being shorter in length than said lower step plate, meanspivotally securing said legs to the Iopposite sides of said upper andlower step plates adjacent corresponding end edges thereof, and meansconnecting each of said upper and lower step plates to said frame atpoints remote from said pivotal securement means for said legs forpivotal movement of said upper and lower step plates about verticallyspaced parallel horizontal axes between a folded position with saidupper and lower step plates and said legs carried thereby receivedwithin said frame in vertical alinement therewith and an unfoldedposition with said upper and lower step plates disposed in verticallyspaced parallel horizontal planes, said lower step plate extendingforwardly of said upper step plate, and said legs depending from saidupper and lower step plates in outwardly extending divergent.- relationto said frame.

3. A combination cabinet and stepladder comprising a cabinet having avertical access opening to the interior thereof; a segmental doorclosing said access opening, said door comprising an upright outerenclosing frame extending along and covering the entire marginal portionof said access opening, and panel means removably received within saidframe in vertical alinement therewith to cover the remainder of saidaccess opening; means mounting said frame of said door on said cabinetfor pivotal movement of said door about a vertical axis between closedand open positions with respect to said access opening, said panel meanscomprising an upper and a lower step plate and a pair of legs extendingalong the opposite sides of said upper and lower step plates injuxtaposition to corresponding sides of said frame, means pivotallysecuring said legs to the opposite sides of said upper and lower stepplates adjacent corresponding end edges thereof, and means connectingeach of said upper and lower step plates to said frame at points remotefrom said pivotal securement means for said legs for pivotal movement ofsaid upper and lower step plates about vertically spaced parallelhorizontal axes between 'Il' a folded position with said upper and lowerstep plates and said legs carried thereby received within said frame invertical alinernent therewith and an unfolded position with said upperand lower step plates disposed in vertically spaced parallel horizontalplanes, said lower step plate extending forwardly of said upper stepplate, and said legs depending from said upper and lower step plates inoutwardly extending divergent relation to said frame.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS DanaJuly 15, 1924 Bolles Oct. 18, 1932 Keltner Jan. 8, 1952 Yoder Jan. 10,1956 Mattis May 1, 1956

